How much do prices differ for businesses?
The prices that suppliers charge for business electricity, commercial gas and other utilities can vary massively. It’s not unusual for one business to be paying two or three times as much for their gas and electricity as their neighbour or a site nearby, owned by the same client. Over the recent years, we have seen rates for electricity ranging from over 30 pence per kilowatt hour to less than 6p per unit.

 

What rates are available to my business?
Many energy suppliers require your business to achieve a minimum credit rating – so the better score you have, the more options will be available to you. New businesses or those with poor credit can be limited to only 2 or 3 possible suppliers. Other variables which can determine the cost of business electricity for each business for include: postcode, business type (sole trader, Ltd etc), sector (retail, manufacturing etc), annual consumption – including seasonal and time of day variations meter profile (the first two digits in a meter reference number range from 00-08 which is a classification related to consumption – most small businesses are 03/04 profile) and payment terms. Direct debit is the best and only option if you wish to achieve the best possible price.

 

Who are the ‘Big 6’?
The press and Ofgem will frequently talk about the Big 6, how they are dominating the market, limiting competition and so on. But at first glance there appears to be more than big 6 players in the market. However when you realise that British Gas and SSE have at least 6 trading names each, it becomes clearer that some of the competition is an illusion.

• Eon (also known as Powergen)
• Npower (also known as RWE)
• Scottish & Southern (also know as SSE, incorporating Southern Electric, Scottish Hydro Electric, SWALEC, Atlantic Electric & Gas.)
• Scottish Power
• EDF (incorporating London Energy, SWEB and Seeboard)
• British Gas (incorporating Scottish Gas, Electricity for Business, Bizzenergy, Enron and Electricity Direct)
  
  

How do I know that your prices are the best deal for me?
We are 100% independent and work with all energy companies. In some cases the rates we have from suppliers have been negotiated and are exclusive to our company. We’re committed to offering you the lowest price and will always present the best available deals for you, no matter what commission we are being offered by suppliers.

 

How much does your service cost?
We provide a free service and only receive commission from suppliers once we have successfully set up your new contract with them.

 

Why do you need to see a copy of my bill?
Your business electricity or gas bill shows us a unique meter reference number (10 digit ‘MPR’ for business gas or a 21 digit ‘MPAN’ for business electricity) which we need to confirm your consumption. It also tells us what kind of meter you have, which supply area you are in and what kind of electricity/gas user you are. It ensures that we quote you the correct energy prices.

 

What does a meter reference number (MPAN/MPR) look like?
The number will start with an ‘S’ and is usually printed on a bill

S	08	123	456
	23	0123 0123	456

 

What if I don’t know my contract end date?
If you are unsure whether you are currently in a business energy contract or don’t know when it ends, you can find out from your supplier by sending them a contract checking enquiry or authorise us to find out on your behalf.

 

We’ll handle ongoing contract renewals
With a Utilitywise account manager as your trusted advisor, you’ll have peace of mind that you won’t miss key renewal windows and find your contract being rolled onto “deemed rates” that are higher than necessary. Because our experts constantly monitor the market, we can advise you of the best time to start negotiating your new utilities contracts, saving you time, effort and money. And don’t worry about the paperwork or talking with suppliers – your account manager will handle all of that to save you time.